If You Plant a Seed
on Goodreads (3,136)
What’s inside...
Kadir Nelson, acclaimed author of Baby Bear and winner of the Caldecott Honor and the Coretta Scott King Author and Illustrator Awards, presents a resonant, gently humorous story about the power of even the smallest acts and the rewards of compassion and generosity. With spare text and breathtaking oil paintings, If You Plant a Seed demonstrates not only the process of planting and growing for young children but also how a seed of kindness can bear sweet fruit.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-5
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think would happen if you planted a seed? How would you take care of it?
Why do you think the animals started to argue over the fruits in the story?
How did the characters feel when they decided to share with each other?
What does this story teach us about kindness and cooperation?
Can you think of a time when you shared something and it made you happy?
Tip: Role play these questions
While reading, emphasize the expressions of the characters to help your child understand the emotions associated with sharing and kindness.
Ask your child to guess what might happen next in the story to encourage predictive thinking.
Relate the story to real-life situations where your child could practice sharing, to reinforce the book’s themes.
After reading, consider planting a real seed with your child to bring the story's message to life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of kindness and generosity
Explanation: In the book, the act of sharing seeds leads to a flourishing garden, demonstrating that kindness and generosity can create abundance.
Real-World Application: Children learn that sharing with others can lead to positive outcomes and help build friendships, which they can apply in school or play settings.
Example Lesson: The consequences of selfishness
Explanation: A conflict arises when characters hoard seeds for themselves, showing that selfish behavior can lead to disputes and negativity.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to consider the feelings of others and the benefits of cooperation, preventing conflicts in their interactions.
Example Lesson: Patience and the rewards it brings
Explanation: The characters in the book plant seeds and wait for them to grow, illustrating the value of patience and the rewards of waiting for something to blossom.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to understand that patience can lead to rewarding experiences, a lesson that can be applied in their academic and personal endeavors.